GroundZeroVolunteersFlag.Org
HONOR × COMMUNITY × UNITY
Hand In Hand, Strong We Stand × Together We Band, Across This Great Land
Born September 2001 in Lower Manhattan…
Ground Zero Volunteers Flag is a group of strangers who became family while volunteering following the darkest morning in American history.
After the September 11th terrorist attacks, people flocked to the ruins of the Twin Towers and several other destroyed buildings to offer help in any way possible. Providing aid based on each volunteers individual set of skills, many worked tirelessly among First Responders, New York's Finest and Bravest.
Ground Zero Volunteers Flag, originally known as The Ground Zero Flag was founded in 2001 by a few New Yorkers volunteering at Ground Zero. Made and donated by Valley Forge Flags of Pennsylvania, The Flag is 60' X 30' and weighs 92lbs. It was first displayed on 1 Liberty Street, known also as Brooks Brothers Building September 22, 2001 for approximately two months (due to repairs beginning on the damaged building). The Flag assisted in strengthening the fortitude those who responded to the most devastating attack to occur on American soil.
Since 2002, The Flag has been presented for various causes all around New York; including but not limited to: Horse Soldier Dedication, USS New York, USS Intrepid, The New York City Veterans Day Parade, Bronx Veterans Day Parade, Cyclone Stadium, Mets Stadium a.k.a City Field, Salute to America, Band of Pride/Stand Up America Tribute, and the annual September Tribute in Chinatown, NYC.
THEN:
THE GROUND ZERO FLAG
The Flag that fortified and united so many people over the years was retired in 2011 due to historical reasons. Thus the group's name officially changed from The Ground Zero Flag to Ground Zero Volunteers Flag in honor of the original Flag's retirement.
It's the "end of an era" but it's not the end of our traditions.
The bonds formed by Ground Zero volunteers of all walks of life are truly unique and unbreakable...That's why 92lbs of cotton hasn't altered that.
NOW:
GROUND ZERO VOLUNTEERS FLAG
Each year our Ground Zero family grows and we're honored to continue these traditions with our new 60' X 30', 90lb Flag to this day.
Our group's new Flag was thankfully provided again by Valley Forge Flags.
We'd like to give a special thanks to Unifuse for beautifully crafting and donating our custom made Flag case in spring of 2011. It makes makes transporting our Flag to events quicker, simpler and easy.
God Bless Our Veterans and God Bless The United States of America.
LEARN MORE:
WHO WE ARE
If a picture's worth a thousand words, a video's worth a million.
THE FOUNDERS
Many strong connections were made between people down at Ground Zero, despite the terrible atrocities that occurred. The Founders of the Flag met down at Ground Zero and "joined forces", each combining different energies, that have helped make our community what it is today...17 years later.
Note: John McGuire is no longer an active member of our group
OUR FRIENDS
Along the way, there's always friends that go above and beyond...
UNIFUSE
Donated a beautiful custom crafted Flag Carrying Case in May 2011. Location: 2092 NY-9G, Staatsburg, NY, 12580 - Phone: (845) 889-4000
VALLEY FORGE FLAGS
Donated The Ground Zero Flag and provided Ground Zero Volunteers Flag. Location: 875 Berkshire Blvd, Wyomissing, PA, 19610 - Phone: (610) 376-2400
ACE BANNER
Ace Banner is a manufacturer of custom banners, flags and displays -- located in Manhattan, New York. A very good Friend of The Flag that's helped us create various banners for Veterans Day in New York City.
9/11 REMEMBERED
9/11 Remembered is a traveling memorial that educates people far and wide about September 11, 2001. It’s a non profit 501c3 corporation that operates and travel through sponsorship and donations. With your donation or sponsorship 9/11 Remembered can continue to travel across the United States. Help us make it to the next city so that we may continue our mission to NEVER FORGET.
FDNY
The Fire Department of New York City was established July 31, 1865 and has been fighting fires in New York ever since. Every year they assist us in the September Tribute.
NYPD
New York City Police Department established sometime in 1845. Every year they assist us in the September Tribute.
The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of The City Of New York
Hosted numerous Veteran Art Shows also featuring our Flag - "Established in 1820 as the Apprentices’ Library, by the 19th century the Library had become the largest free circulating library in New York City. The Library space is host to our 176 year old lecture series, which includes the Labor, Literature and Landmarks, and Artisan Lecture
Series."
German Bicyclists
A large group of bicyclists who were visiting from, you guessed it, Germany - who were kind enough to randomly help us carry our Flag following one of our events.
PIX 11 NEWS
After seventeen years of doing the September Tributes, one local news station finally covered our community gathering at length. A BIG THANK YOU to @GregMocker & @PIX11news! We hope to see you again next year!
EVENTS
We've been involved in many events over the years and there will be more to come...
See photos of such events - Click HERE
PAST EVENTS 2002 - PRESENT
2002 - 2006: ANNUAL SEPTEMBER TRIBUTES
2007: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE
2008: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE, USS INTREPID RETURNS
2009: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE, SALUTE TO AMERICA
2010: BRENDAN MARROCCO FUNDRAISER, SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE, BAND OF PRIDE/STAND UP AMERICA VETERANS TRIBUTE, SALUTE TO AMERICA, SALUTE TO AMERICA
2011: USS NY ARRIVES FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 - CREW, FDNY, NYPD, & PAPD PARTICIPATE IN FLAG FOLDING CEREMONY, SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE, HORSE SOLDIER DEDICATION
2012: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE, BRONX VETERANS DAY PARADE, VETERANS TRIBUTE @ FDNY'S "THE ROCK"
2013: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE, BRONX VETERANS DAY PARADE, VETERANS ART SHOW
2014: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE, BRONX VETERANS DAY PARADE
2015: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE
2016: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE
2017: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE
2018: SEPTEMBER TRIBUTE, NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE